The New Tech.Pass: Easiest Way to Start a Singapore Company

To apply for the Tech.Pass, a candidate must complete the following steps:

1. Prepare to apply.

Before applying for the Tech.Pass, ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria as described in the previous section of this article, and prepare relevant supporting documents. Non-English documents must be translated into English by a translation service provider.

The applicant must download and complete the Tech.Pass application form as a soft copy for him or herself and any dependants and get the application form(s) signed.

2. Payment.

The application form automatically generates a payment reference number. Before submitting the application and relevant documents, follow the payment steps stated on the application form and proceed with payment. The application fee of S$105 is non-refundable.

The payment can be settled via PayNow or wire transfer.

3. Submit an application.

When all documents are ready and full payment is received by EDB, Tech.Pass applicants should submit the online Tech.Pass application form via this MOM webpage. The whole application process should not take more than 30 minutes. In this form, the candidate must indicate personal contact details and upload the following supporting documents:

• Completed and signed application form;
• Screenshot of banking page confirming the payment;
• Travel document page indicating the applicant’s personal particulars;
• Documents confirming relationship with the applicant’s dependants (if applicable) and dependants’ Verification of Vaccination Requirements document issued by the Health Promotion Board (if required);
• Documents confirming that the relevant eligibility criteria are met. These documents should be uploaded via this MOM webpage before or after submission of the Tech.Pass application. Depending on which criteria the applicant is using to support the application, the relevant confirming documents should be uploaded:
• • Criterion 1:
    • Applicant’s payslips for the past 3 months, or latest tax statements.
  • Criterion 2:
    • Company valuation report, annual report or financial statements, with company valuation highlighted;
    • Company funding data;
    • Other documents indicating valuation, e.g. public sources such as Pitchbook or Crunchbase.
  • Criterion 3:
    • Product monthly active users reports;
    • Screenshots of application download figures;
    • Other documents indicating product monthly active users or revenue generated from such products (e.g. pitch document).

NOTE: Only the Tech.Pass applicant can use this form to submit the application for him- or herself or any dependants. If an applicant wishes to apply for the relevant pass for a dependant, a separate application should be submitted via the same webpage (i.e. the form should be submitted twice). 

4. Application processing.

The EDB will start processing the application only after it has received full payment and a full set of documents. It takes around 8 weeks to process the application. It may take longer if additional information is required.

If the application is approved, Tech.Pass applicants will receive an in-principle approval (IPA) letter by email. Once the IPA has been received, the candidate has 6 months to enter Singapore and get the pass issued. This period cannot be further extended.

5. Get the pass issued.

Within 6 months of receiving the IPA letter, the candidate must travel to Singapore to request to issue the pass. The relevant application can be submitted through EP Online (if the applicant has a SingPass), or in person at the MOM Employment Pass Services Centre with a prior appointment.

Your Tech.Pass will be issued by MOM and the card issuance fee is S$225 for each pass.

Besides other notable advantages, the Tech.Pass immigration scheme also allows you to start up your own tech company, and even multiple companies, in an easy and simple way. Tech.Pass holders are also permitted to serve on the Board of Directors of a Singapore company and be an investor in more than one Singapore-based company (not necessarily a tech company).

If you are already employed under Tech.Pass and have come up with an idea to incorporate your own company in Singapore, Tech.Pass provides a way to switch your status from “employee” to “entrepreneur” without special efforts or complicated application procedures. As Tech.Pass is not tied to a company or employer you can easily set up your company without having to apply for different passes.

Also, note that having a tech company incorporated in Singapore will give you strong grounds to prolong the duration of your pass for another two subsequent years, if the relevant eligibility criteria for the renewal are satisfied, as described below in this article.

Singapore is well known for its fast, straightforward and simple process of company formation. In most cases, a new business venture can be incorporated in a matter of days, if not hours. If you are interested in starting a Singapore company and looking for a streamlined way to do that, we would be delighted to have you as our client. We offer a full-range of corporate services in Singapore.